Adjustable frame



Feb. 19, 1929. 1,702,358

c. G. MITCHELL ADJUS TABLE FRAME Filed Aug. 19, 1927 17 13 FIG. 2 15 355 mm INVE'NT UH CHARLESGMITCHELL BYJ AT TOR 'N I? YS Patented Feb. 19,1929.

UNITED STAT ES PATENT oFFicE;

Application filed August 16, 1927. Serial No. 214,144.

This invention relates to new and useful iniprmieinents in frames forgrilles, switch boxes, wall cabinets and the like which are athlptrd tolie flush with a wall face.

The object of the invention to provide a frame which will he quickly andeasily adjusted to suit the wall face.

Another object to provide an adjustable frame which will be s mple inconstrudiam and which will be easily and economically mamifactured.

According to my invention, I providea flanged frame through which screwsare provided which engage with threaded apertures formed in a flangeformed in the box or cabinet to which the frame is attached. Lockingnuts are provided to prevent longitudinal movement of the screws in theframe and to lock the screws in any adjusted position.

The frame provided with a ridge into which the cover for the opening isplaced so that the frame and the cover or grille is made flush with thewall face.

In the drawings which illnstrate my invention:

Figure 1 is a p pe tive iew f a frame with a hinged cover.

Figure 52 is a perspective view of the hack of the frame shown in Figurel. a

Figure 3 is a sectional side elevation of part of the frame and a grillecover showing the method of attaching the frame to a flange. 4

Figure 4 is a sectional side elevation of a. frame and cover showing onetype of conncction between them.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a frame and cover showing anothermethod of attaching them together.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a. frame showing a still furthermethod of attaching a cover or grille to a frame.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, 11 designates a wall whichis provided with an aperture or recess 12 within which is placed ametallic air duct or box 13 having an outwardly turned flange 14. Thebox or duct is preferably made of thin metal and the flange is formed bybending the metal outwardly and also bending the metal to form aplurality of layers as shownin Figure 3. The flange is provided withthreaded apertures 15 to engage with the threads of the adjusting screws16 which pass through the flange 17 of a frame 18, the legs 19 of whichproject into and frictionally engage with the walls 20 of the box orduct. is The right angles legs 19am preferably formed at to the flange.The edge of the flange. is pro-v ing 21. The height of the heading ispitticrably such that when a cover or grille is placed on the flange,the exposed edge of the flange will be flush with t-hccitposed face ofthe said cover or door. lirFigurc ,3

a grille shown and the manner of attach vided with an outwardly turnedrib or head.

side 27 secured to the frame, another side connected to. the cover andthe third or middle side pivotally connected between the other twosides. The flange of the frame is provided with slots 28 to allow acertain alllOgllll ll of flexibility between the frame and ilt? t me!duringthc o ening of same. The cover is held in the c osed position ,bymeans. of the lidmg bolt 29 which engages with an en rtu e- 3 ged i thadlec t leg of the ram n i eum 4 that-ever is a tache to the framebymeans of tl efaontibars 31 w ch ar s idab y twdw ta tie fr m a are eachprovided with a head 32 to hold the cover to'the frame. Each adjustingscrew is provided with a lock nut- 33 which frictionallyengages with theunderside of the frame and prevents movement of the screw with respectto its longitudinal axis. The nuts also form a locking means to hold theframe in any adjustedposition with respect to the flange of the box orduct.

In operation, the fiangeof the box or duct,

or the like, is positioned against the solid concrete or brick portionof the wall. The

frame is then placed in position with the H legs frictionally engagingwith the inner wall ofthe box. The adjusting screws are rotated and areadapted to move the frame toward or away from the flange of the ductorbox. lVhen moving the frame the nuts on the screws act as collars andwhen the frame is at the desired distance from the box flange the nutsare turned to lockthe frame in position. The heads of the adjustingscrewsare protected by the cover or grille which may be attached to theframe by hinges or by screws.

The device is very easily manufactured and provides a simple means foraligning a pinrality of boxes so that when the plaster 34: is placed inposition no part of the frame or cover projects beyond the wall face255.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim 1s:*

1. In a device of the class described, a frame having a flange, a boxhaving a flanged end, adjusting screws rotatably held in the frameflange and adapted to engage with threaded apertures in the be flangeand lock nuts mounted on the screws and adapted to engage with the frameflange to hold the flange of the frame a predetermined distance fromthat of the box.

2. In a device of the class described, a frame having an outwardlyturned flange, a box "rictionally engaging with the frame and alsoprovided with an outwardly turned flange, adjusting screws rotatablyheld in the frame flange, and adapted to eng g'e with threaded aperturesin the box fian e, lock nuts to prevent movement of the screws in theirlongitudinal direction withi respect to the flange and to lock thescrews against rotation when so desired.

3.1n a device of the class described, a frame having a flange, a boxfrictionally engaging with the frame and provided with a flange,adjusting screws rotatably mounted in the frame and adapted to engagewith threaded apertures in the box flange, lock nuts mounted on thescrews and adapted to frietionally engage with the flange of the frameto prevent movement of the screws when in any adjusted position andmeans secured to the flange of the frame and covering the heads of theadjusting screws.

4. In a device of the class described, a

frame, having an outwardly turned flange, a box secured to a wall andalso provided with an outwardly turned flange, countersunk adjustingscrews rotatably held in the frame flange by look nuts which when turnedlock the screws against rotation, said screws being adapted to engagewith threaded apertures formed'in the box flange, and a cover secured tothe frame flange and adapted to cover the heads of the adjusting screws,said cover being adapted to lie flush with a heading formed around theedge of the frame flange.

In a device of the class described, a frame luiving an outwardly turn edflange secured to a wall, adjusting screws rotatably held in the frameflange and :nlapted to engage with threaded a, crtures in the flange inthe wall, said screws being countersunk in the frame flange, a coverhingedly attached to the frame flange and adapted to cover the heads ofthe adjusting screws, means to loci; the cover in the'closed position,said cover being sunk into the flange and surrounded by a heading formedthereon, said beading being adapted to lie flush with the cover in theclosed position.

6. A device of the character described comprising a frame, a box inwhich the frame is slidably fitted, adjusting screws passing throughregistering openings of the frame and box and having threaded engagementwith the openings of the box and means carried by the adjusting screwsand engaging the frame to prevent longitudinal movement of the screwsrelative to the frame whereby the frame is caused to travel with thescrews as the latter are threaded inwardly or outwardly with referenceto the box.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand.

CHARLES G. MITCHELL.

